Hepatitis C

» Hep A Fact Sheet

» Hep B Fact Sheet

» Hep C Fact Sheet

» Washington State Hepatitis C Strategic Plan (Jan 2004)

» Hepatitis C Update Newsletter (April 2004)

» Hepatitis Reporting Matrix (PDF,70kb)

» CDC Treatment Guidelines

» NIH Treatment Guidelines

» American Liver Foundation

» Washington State Chronic Hepatitis Report, Sept 2008 (PDF,205kb)

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Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus and is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States.  It is estimated that 3.9 million people (1.8 percent of the population of the United States) are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and of these individuals, 2.7 million are chronically infected.  hepatitis C virus infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.  It is the most common cause, after alcohol, of chronic liver disease.  Hepatitis C virus is the most frequent reason in the United States for a liver transplant.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you may be at risk for hepatitis C and should contact your medical care provider for a blood test if you:

• Were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C.
• Have ever injected illegal drugs, even if you experimented a few times many years ago.
• Received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July, 1992 .
• Were a recipient of clotting factor(s) made before 1987.
• Have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis.
• Have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels).

In Washington State, an estimated 100,000 people may be infected with hepatitis C virus.  There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.  For more information, contact the CDC.

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